Post-holiday sales, exchanges brisk

December 26, 2009

Freedom New Mexico: Clarence Plank Lee Conder of Ozona, Texas looks over boots Saturday at Joe’s Boot Shop in Clovis.Conder was one of hundreds of shopper who hits stores the day after Christmas to take advantage of sales or exchange gifts.

By Clarence Plank: Freedom New Mexico

Business was brisk the day after Christmas for many local stores with shoppers making exchanges and taking advantage of special sales.

Owner Joe Rhodes said Joe’s Boot Shop was busy Saturday from the time he opened the front door.

“People have done a lot of exchanges,” Rhodes said. “We don’t do refunds unless we have too, so most of the time it has been exchanges.”

Lee Conder of Ozona, Texas said his trip to Joe’s was his first time visiting the store.

“We just got here. The whole family came to shop,” Conder said. “I’m not really a fancy kind of guy, I’m just looking for some boots to use on my ranch. They do have a good selection I will say that.”

Amanda Trout of Las Cruces was waiting on her family to get done shopping at North Plains Mall. They were out spending gift cards received for Christmas.

“We have been to J.C. Penny’s and Hot Topic,” Trout said, while sitting on a mall bench. “Actually my family members are making purchases. ”

Beall’s Department Store Manager Melissa Bonem said many shoppers were making exchanges.

“We have been doing a lot of exchanges, but no many returns so that is really great this year,” Bonem said. “We got a great sale going with most red and yellow ticket items are buy one get one for a dollar.”

Nettie Griffin of Portales, her sister Freddie Douglas and their niece Tawnya Griffen stopped by to check out sales at Beall’s.

We didn’t exchange anything today, but we wanted to take advantage of the sale,” Griffin said.

Her sister was in town visiting from Denver, Colo., for Christmas.

“I always come to shop at Beall’s when I’m in town,” Dougles said. “I want to take something back with me to Denver.”